Workplace Accommodations for Nurses Who Experience Disabilities: A Scoping Review

BackgroundProvisions of reasonable workplace accommodations can support the retention of nurses and midwives with disabilities in their professional roles. However, many encounter barriers to accessing accommodations in their practice.PurposeThis review aimed to map the existing knowledge and identify gaps in literature regarding workplace accommodations for nurses and midwives with disabilities.Method and ProceduresThe scoping review adhered to JBI methodology to identify available literature on workplace accommodations in nursing and midwifery practice. A search of CINAHL, SocINDEX, PsycInfo, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and ProQuest Dissertation identified 4160 articles. Data was extracted from 20 sources that met the eligibility criteria.ResultsWorkplace accommodations that employers were both able and unable to provide, as well as informal accommodations made by the employee, were uncovered. Key barriers included unclear processes, experiences of ableism, and self-disclosure difficulties. Alternatively, access to accommodations was facilitated by supportive and collaborative managers and colleagues.DiscussionWorkplace accommodations were found to contribute to nurses' success, yet the implementation was not without challenges. Workforce barriers must be universally addressed to improve inclusion in nurses and midwifery practice. A significant gap in research regarding accommodations in midwifery was found. Further research on strategies to promote accessibility in nursing and midwifery internationally is needed, with focus on Canada where literature was limited.ConclusionEffective provision of workplace accommodations requires clear policies, processes, and communication, which is currently lacking. A streamlined process would help to reduce absenteeism and retain nurses and midwives with disabilities.